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The art of the sword is the premiere martial art of Japan. Over 1000
years of research, study, and refinement have produced this complex and
esoteric art. Generations of swordsman have devoted their whole lives
to the study of every possible variation in the use of the Japanese
sword. Not satisfied with mere variations in technique, they also
explored the strategy and philosophy of the sword with an endless
thirst for knowledge.
The sword student trains with a razor sharp Japanese sword. (Only a
real sword is acceptable for training.) Due to the inherent danger of
this type of training, the student achieves intense levels of
concentration and psychological tension, leading to rapid advancement
in the spiritual aspects of budo.
A wooden sword (bokken) is also used in training, not for the safety of
the student as some might think, but to prevent possible damage to an
irreplaceable antique blade that may be worth several thousand dollars.
Bokken are usually made out of Japanese white oak, or a similar
hardwood, and can be just as lethal as a steel sword. In fact, many
famous duels in feudal Japan were fought where one man chose to use a
wooden sword against a real one and won.
There are two modern Japanese sword arts which are sometimes confused
with kenjutsu. Kendo is a form of sport fencing which uses a bamboo
imitation sword. Iaido consists of sword-drawing kata only and is often
practiced with a unsharpened, reproduction blade. Kendo is not taught
here.
Kenjutsu is for those who seek the most traditional of martial arts and
are ready to pursue precise, dedicated and deep training. Kenjutsu
requires significant financial investment and long-term commitment.
Prospective students must be at least 16 years of age. Materials
required to begin training are: an authentic Japanese sword deemed
acceptable by the head-instructor, a judo-gi, white hakama, zori,
heko-obi, bokken and sensu.
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